Minnesota Today

Two large wildfires burning uncontrolled in northeastern Minnesota grew significantly overnight.

The Jenkins Creek fire more than doubled in size and has now burned more than 20,000 acres of forest, or about 31 square miles. It's burning north in a long, narrow band east of Hoyt Lakes and south of Babbitt. Meanwhile the Camp House Fire grew modestly to about 15,000 acres. That fire near Brimson has destroyed at least 144 structures.

That story and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Music by Gary Meister.

It’s another hot, dry, breezy day across the region -- creating more challenges for crews battling wildfires in northeast Minnesota. More than 40 homes and cabins have been destroyed by the fast-moving wildfires.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Music by Gary Meister.

Authorities are still investigating what caused a fast-burning wildfire about 35 miles north of Duluth, but believe a campfire may be to blame. Much of Minnesota is under an air quality alert Monday. And Gov. Tim Walz is urging lawmakers to compromise as their budget deadline quickly approaches.

At a roundtable Friday, 8th District Republican Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber said Congressional Republicans will not cut Medicaid but, rather, work to make sure people are not abusing government help by implementing a work requirement for medical aid.

Some state lawmakers want to repeal a ban on seclusions for children in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Seclusions are forced isolations from the classroom. In Minnesota, 100 percent of children who are placed in seclusion have disabilities. Advocates for the repeal say educators need this option as a last resort, but disability rights supporters like DFL Rep. Kim Hicks argue seclusions don’t help anyone.

“We have to ask ourselves, do we really support people with disabilities and students with disabilities, if we will not stand up for the basic human right to not be locked in a box at six?” she said.

The state Department of Education recommends an "urgent end” to seclusion for all children by 2026.

Macalester College in St. Paul says it will house international students over the summer, in light of uncertain immigration rules.

In an announcement to students and staff this week, college President Suzanne Rivera said the school is worried about students not being able to get back into the country if visa rules change after they leave for the summer.

Go deeper with the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

Macalester College offers free summer housing to international students with visa worries

Minnesota disabilities advocates push back on plan to restore school seclusion rooms

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Local Catholics are excited about the election of Pope Leo XIV from Chicago. "We have a pope! An American!" said Joan McLeod and Gailyn Ryan.

The University of Minnesota says it has lost more than 70 federal grants totaling more than $22 million in Trump administration budget cuts and that it does not know what's coming next.

And the first Republican contender has entered the 2026 Minnesota governor's race.

Those stories and more in today’s evening newscast from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.